Stewart to play in trial

The National Sports

By PARKER TAMBUA
PAPUA New Guinea Prime Minister’s 13 fullback Treigh Stewart has been named in the Melbourne Storm side that will face Canterbury Bulldogs in the National Rugby League (NRL) trial tonight.
Storm assistant coach Todd Lowrie said Stewart and four other players in the train-and-trial programme have been impressive in their Young-Gun side that played against Sunshine Coast last weekend so they were given another opportunity in the game against the Bulldogs.
Lowrie said all train-and-trial players would return to their clubs’ respective Hostplus Cup and NSW Cup campaigns but said further opportunities may arise in the future.
“For any guy that’s done well and impressed us over the first two trials, there’s certainly an opportunity to look at them throughout the year,” Lowrie said.
“A bit like Kane Bradley did last year, he went back to the Brisbane Tigers and then got selected in round two to play.
“There’s certainly an opportunity for those guys to put their best foot forward and possibly get a contract.”
The lad from Kompiam in Enga has been part of the Storm preseason training for the past three months.
Storm general manager Frank Ponissi told The National recently that Stewart would play for their feeder team Brisbane Tigers in this year’s Hostplus Cup but was only in Melbourne under a train-and-trial agreement. Stewart missed out on Kumuls selection for the Oceania Cup in October last year but was outstanding in the PM’s 13 clash against Australia where PNG lost 18-30.
A good performance from Stewart could earn him a potential development contract offer in the Craig Bellamy-coached side. The 22-year-old will come off the bench wearing No.18 jersey.
Other PNG payers who will feature for their respective NRL clubs in trials this weekend are Robert Derby (Cowboys), Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs), Jeremiah Simbiken (Dolphins), Dan Russell and Jack de Belin (Dragons). Adding to that, two PNG players Kyle Laybutt and Bailey Biondi-Odo will feature for the Indigenous team who will face Maori in the NRL All Stars challenge tomorrow night.